Fertility Behaviour in Nigeria: Determinants, Consequences and Policy Implications

Abstract

Fertility behaviour can be defined as patterns of childbearing among couples or women, which is mostly in relation to contraceptive behaviour, number of births, timing of births and other associated reproductive behaviours such as formation of union, co-habitation and marriage. The social implications of high fertility rate include poverty and unemployment,both of which are among the major reasons why there is a high number of destitutes in northern Nigeria and why this region of the country usually has low  human development index (HDI).  This study examined fertility behaviour, determinants, consequences and policy implications in Nigeria through extensive review of literatures. Review showed that high fertility level, most especially in vulnerable regions such as northern Nigeria, has deterred human development in terms of socio-economic development in the affected region. It was concluded that adequate policies need to be formulated and implemented towards reducing high birth rate in Nigeria. Adequately implemented population policies and sustained family planning programmes, among other factors, tend to lead to high human development index (HDI), an indicator of socio-economic progress and improved standard of living for the people.